Developer looks to transform Oakland with grocery store, green space

Walnut Capital, the Shadyside developer that revitalized Bakery Square, has set its sights on a potential development in Oakland, though they would need a zoning amendment to make it happen.

The developer touted the potential project, called Oakland Crossings, as an initiative to “transform a section of Oakland into a world class gateway and desirable neighborhood for all income levels.”

Their plans include a neighborhood grocery store, a 25% increase in urban green space and an elevated pedestrian bridge stretching over the Boulevard of the Allies.

The developers are leaning on a recent survey of Oakland residents, in which the Oakland Plan Steering Committee looked at responses from over 1,000 people residents and informed developers of their desires for Oakland.

“After participating in this process and being active listeners, we’ve sought to create a comprehensive development that responds to neighbors’ top needs — a grocery store, walk-to-work housing, safer connectivity and more public green space,” said Todd Reidbord, Walnut Capital’s co-founder. Reidbord temporarily lived in Oakland while earning a law degree at the University of Pittsburgh.

According to the proposed legislation, the new district will “encourage the high quality redevelopment of properties and improvements within the Oakland District including the redevelopment of of portions of the Boulevard of the Allies, Bates Street, Halket Street and McKee Place,” while also creating open space and public amenities.

The development, which would span about 17 acres, would include affordable housing, with an emphasis on walk-to-work housing for individuals working in Oakland. The developers are proposing about 1,000 housing units in total.

But the proposed mixed-use development isn’t allowed under the current zoning regulations.

Mayor Bill Peduto sent Pittsburgh City Council a proposal that would change the zoning requirements, creating a fifth “open public realm” subdistrict in Oakland.

But the Oakland Planning and Development Corporation (OPDC) opposes the proposal, arguing the development “would demolish three large and dense city blocks, including homes and apartment buildings and trees that have been part of the residential fabric here for more than 100 years.”

The community group objected the potential amendment to the zoning requirements, arguing that “zoning changes of this magnitude require a robust public process.”

“It it unfair to the neighborhood to push for a boutique zone that ignores neighborhood needs for the benefit of a single developer,” OPDC wrote in a statement.

The new designation will be reviewed by City Council, as well as the city Planning Commission. There will also be public hearings to discuss the proposal.

“The Oakland Crossings project is part of a comprehensive development effort for Central Oakland,” Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said. “It will improve the critical infrastructure on the boulevard there including pedestrian safety features.”

Walnut Capital on Wednesday announced a series of community meetings where residents can provide feedback and get more information about the proposal. The first meeting is slated for Thursday, Sept. 30. For more information or to register to receive meeting information, visit the Oakland Crossings website.